A combination of “inadvertent human error and systems failure” caused a mix up in in vitro fertilisation (IVF) treatment that led to the birth of mixed race twins to a white couple in the north of England, an official report concluded this week.

An investigation commissioned by the Department of Health made more than 100 recommendations to tighten up procedures governing the provision of infertility services, in a report that criticises the government and the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority, which regulates clinics.

The inquiry, led by Professor Brian Toft, was set up in July 2002 after four mishaps at two clinics run by the Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust. …